As a pregnant teenager, you have a higher risk of:
- Premature labor and/or delivery (going into labor before the baby is fully developed)
- Anemia (low iron levels in your blood)
- Preeclampsia (swelling, high blood pressure and protein in your urine)
- Having a baby with a low birth weight (less than five and a half pounds)

Babies that are born prematurely can develop problems for life such as cerebral palsy or learning problems.

————————————————————————————–

Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia (also called toxemia or pregnancy-related hypertension) is the development of swelling, high blood pressure and protein in your urine during pregnancy. Pregnant teens have a greater chance of developing preeclampsia during their pregnancy. Symptoms include:

- Swelling of the hands or face when you get up in the morning
- Quick weight gain (more than two pounds per week)
- Headaches
- Having less urine when you go to the bathroom
- Feeling sick and/or throwing up
- High blood pressure
- Changes in your eyesight (flashing lights in your eyes)
- Pain in your lower belly

————————————————————————————-

Low Birth Weight Babies
Teen mothers are much more likely to have low birth weight babies, which can result in serious medical problems, including underdeveloped organs leading to lung, vision, intestinal and other problems.

Smoking during pregnancy is the most common reason for a low birth weight baby and is one one of several habits that you need to control. Not eating right, not gaining enough weight and not taking regular multivitamins are some other reasons teen mothers have low birth weight babies. Drinking alcohol and taking certain drugs during pregnancy can also result in a low birth weight baby.

—————————————————————————————

A girl can become pregnant even before she begins menstruation. For most girls, a regular menstrual cycle will begin between the ages of 11 and 16. During these formative years, bones are not mature, and over all growth is not yet finished. Becoming pregnant as during the teen years pose some serious health risks, not only to themselves, but to the unborn child.

Many soon to be teen moms neglect to seek care during the first 4 months of the pregnancy because they are either scared or in denial. Not seeking care puts not only the teen mom in danger, but the unborn child as well.

Teen moms are more likely to have a baby that is premature and low birth weight. A premature baby is one that is born too early. Some of these babies do die. The ones that make it tend to have problems later in life, mental and physical problems are included. A low birth weight baby is one that is born with a weight of less than 5 1/2 pounds. These babies have a greater risk of being born with major birth defects.

The risks for the teen mom are great as well. Pregnancy and birth can put a tremendous strain on a teenager’s body. If bone structure is not fully developed, she takes the risk of injuring her spine and pelvic bones, altering her life forever. It is also well known that the irresponsible behaviors some teens exhibit may put them at risk for sexually transmitted diseases. These diseases can be easily spread to an unborn baby. If untreated, disasterous consequences can occur.

—————————————————————————————-

High teen birth rates are an important concern because teen mothers and their babies face increased risks to their health, and their opportunities to build a future are diminished.

—————————————————————————————–

How does a teen mother’s health affect her baby?
Some teens may need to change their lifestyle to improve their chances of having a healthy baby. Eating unhealthy foods, smoking, drinking alcohol and taking drugs can increase the risk that a baby will be born with health problems, such as low birthweight (less than 5½ pounds).

Teens are more likely than women over age 25 to smoke during pregnancy. In 2004, 17 percent of pregnant teens ages 15 to 19 smoked, compared to 10 percent of pregnant women ages 25 to 34. Babies of women who smoke during pregnancy are at increased risk for premature birth, low birthweight and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Women who smoke during pregnancy also have an increased risk for pregnancy complications, including placental problems.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden, unexplained death of an infant younger than 1 year old. SIDS is particularly worrying because it can occur without warning in a baby who seems healthy.
SIDS is the leading cause of death in infants between 1 month and 1 year old. Most SIDS cases happen in babies between 2-4 months old.

Because most cases happen when a baby is sleeping, SIDS is sometimes called “crib death.” Cribs do not cause SIDS, but other sleep issues can increase your baby’s risks:
- Sleep position: Babies placed to sleep on their tummies or sides are at higher risk of SIDS than babies placed on their backs. Since the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) started the “Back to Sleep” campaign in the 1990s, SIDS cases in the U.S. have dropped by more than 50 percent.
- Smoking: Mothers who smoke during pregnancy are three times more likely to have a SIDS baby. Being around people who smoke doubles a baby’s risks.
- Bedding: Sleeping on pillows, soft surfaces and soft bedding are linked to a higher SIDS risk.

Other potential risks include:
- Drinking or drug use during pregnancy
- Poor prenatal care
- Premature birth or low birthweight
- Mothers less than 20 years old
- Overheating of the baby during sleep

Placenta
The placenta is an unborn baby’s life support system. It forms from the same cells as the embryo and attaches to the wall of the uterus. The placenta forms connections with the mother’s blood supply, from which it supplies oxygen and nutrients to the fetus. The placenta also connects with the fetus’s blood supply, from which it removes wastes and returns them to the mother’s blood. The mother’s kidneys dispose of the waste.
The placenta has other important functions in pregnancy. It produces hormones that play a role in triggering labor and delivery. The placenta also helps protect the fetus from infections and potentially harmful substances. After the baby is delivered, the placenta’s job is done, and it is delivered as the afterbirth.

The mature placenta is flat and circular and weighs about 1 pound. But sometimes the placenta:
- Is structured abnormally
- Is poorly positioned in the uterus
- Does not function properly
Placental problems are among the most common complications of the second half of pregnancy. Here are some of the most frequent placental problems and how they can affect mother and baby.

What is placental abruption?
Placental abruption (sometimes called abruptio placentae) is a condition in which the placenta peels away from the uterine wall, partially or almost completely, before delivery. Mild cases may cause few problems, but severe cases can deprive the fetus of oxygen and nutrients. Severe cases also can cause bleeding in the mother that can endanger both her and the baby.

Placental abruption increases the risk of premature birth (birth before 37 completed weeks gestation). Studies suggest that abruption contributes to about 10 percent of premature births. Premature babies are at increased risk for health problems during the newborn period, lasting disabilities and even death. Abruption also increases the risk for poor fetal growth and stillbirth.

How common is placental abruption?
Abruption occurs in about 1 in 100 pregnancies. It occurs most often in the third trimester, but it can happen any time after about 20 weeks of pregnancy.

What are the symptoms of abruption?
The main sign of placental abruption is vaginal bleeding. A pregnant woman should contact her health care provider if she has vaginal bleeding.

The pregnant woman also may experience uterine discomfort and tenderness or sudden, continuous abdominal pain. In a few cases, these symptoms may occur without vaginal bleeding because the blood is trapped behind the placenta.

What causes placental abruption?
The cause of abruption is unknown. However, the following factors can increase a woman’s risk for abruption:
- High blood pressure
- Cocaine use
- Cigarette smoking
-Abdominal trauma (such as may occur with an automobile accident or abuse)
- Certain abnormalities of the uterus or umbilical cord
- Being more than 35 years of age
- Pregnant with twins, triplets or more
- Premature rupture of the membranes (bag of waters)
- Having too little amniotic fluid
- Having certain inherited disorders of blood clotting
- Having an infection involving the uterus

Teens are least likely of all maternal age groups to get early and regular prenatal care.

—————————————————————————————-

A teenage mother is at greater risk than women over age 20 for pregnancy complications, such as premature labor, anemia and high blood pressure. These risks are even greater for teens who are under 15 years old.

Premature Labor
Babies who are born preterm are at higher risk of needing hospitalization, having long-term health problems and of dying than babies born at the right time. Preterm birth is any birth that occurs before the 37th week of pregnancy. It is the cause of many infant deaths and lingering infant illnesses.

Some studies have found that certain lifestyle and environmental factors may put a woman at greater risk of preterm labor. These factors include:
- Late or no prenatal care
- Smoking
- Drinking alcohol
- Using illegal drugs
- Exposure to the medication DES
- Domestic violence, including physical, sexual or emotional abuse
- Lack of social support
- Stress
- Long working hours with long periods of standing

Certain medical conditions during pregnancy may increase the likelihood that a woman will have preterm labor. These conditions include:
- Urinary tract infections, vaginal infections, sexually transmitted infections and possibly other infections
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Clotting disorders (thrombophilia)
- Bleeding from the vagina
- Certain birth defects in the baby
- Being pregnant with a single fetus after in vitro fertilization (IVF)
- Being underweight before pregnancy
- Obesity
- Short time period between pregnancies (less than 6-9 months between birth and the beginning of the next pregnancy)

Women younger than 17 or older than 35, and poor women are at greater risk than other women.

Anemia
Anemia occurs when the number or size of a person’s red blood cells are too low. Red blood cells are important because they carry oxygen from your lungs to all parts of your body. Without enough oxygen, your body cannot work as well as it should, and you feel tired and run down.
Anemia can affect anyone, but women are at greater risk for this condition. In women, iron and red blood cells are lost when bleeding occurs from very heavy or long periods (menstruation).

Anemia is common in pregnancy because a woman needs to have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen around her body and to her baby. So it’s important for women to prevent anemia before, during and after pregnancy. Women will probably be tested for anemia at least twice during pregnancy: during the first prenatal visit and then again between 24 and 28 weeks.

Iron Deficiency
Usually, a woman becomes anemic (has anemia) because her body isn’t getting enough iron. Iron is a mineral that helps to create red blood cells. About half of all pregnant women don’t have enough iron in their body (iron deficiency). In pregnancy, iron deficiency has been linked to an increased risk of preterm birth and low birthweight.

Illness or Disease
Some women may have an illness that causes anemia. Diseases such as sickle cell anemia or thalassemia affect the quality and number of red blood cells the body produces.

Signs of Anemia
Anemia takes some time to develop. In the beginning, you may not have any signs or they may be mild. But as it gets worse, you may have these symptoms:
- Fatigue (very common)
- Weakness (very common)
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Numbness or coldness in your hands and feet
- Low body temperature
- Pale skin
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Irritability
- Not doing well at work or in school

High Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is the force of the blood pushing against the walls of the arteries (blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood to all parts of the body). When the pressure in the arteries becomes too high, it is called high blood pressure or hypertension.

About 8 percent of women have problems with high blood pressure during pregnancy. There are several types of high blood pressure that affect pregnant women. Some types start before pregnancy, and others develop during pregnancy. All types of high blood pressure can pose risks to the pregnant woman and her baby.

What forms of high blood pressure occur in pregnancy?
There are four main forms of high blood pressure in pregnancy:

- Preeclampsia: This potentially serious disorder is characterized by high blood pressure and protein in the urine. It usually develops after the 20th week of pregnancy and goes away after delivery.
- Gestational hypertension: This form of high blood pressure develops after the 20th week of pregnancy and goes away after delivery. Affected women do not have protein in the urine. However, some women with gestational hypertension develop preeclampsia later in pregnancy.
- Chronic hypertension: This is high blood pressure that is diagnosed before pregnancy or before the 20th week of pregnancy. It does not go away after delivery.
- Chronic hypertension with preeclampsia: About 25 percent of women with chronic hypertension also develop preeclampsia.

—————————————————————————————

Of 19 million new cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) reported each year, more than 9 million affect young people ages 15 to 24. These STIs include:
- Chlamydia, which can cause sterility in the affected individual and eye infections and pneumonia in the newborn.
- Syphilis, which can cause blindness, maternal death and infant death.
- HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Treatment during pregnancy greatly reduces the risk of an infected mother passing HIV to her baby.

—————————————————————————————

A baby born to a teenage mother is at higher risk than a baby born to an older mother for premature birth, low birthweight, other serious health problems and death.

Babies of teenage mothers are more likely to die in the first year of life than babies of women in their twenties and thirties. The risk is highest for babies of mothers under age 15.

Teenage mothers are are more likely to have a low-birthweight baby. Most low-birthweght babies are born prematurely. The earlier a baby is born, the less she is likely to weigh.

Babies who are premature and low birthweight may have organs that are not fully developed. This can lead to breathing problems, such as respiratory distress syndrome, bleeding in the brain, vision loss and serious intestinal problems.

Very low-birthweight babies (less than 3 1/3 pounds) are more than 100 times as likely to die, and moderately low-birthweight babies (between 3 1/3 and 5½ pounds) are more than 5 times as likely to die, in their first year of life than normal-weight babies.

Life may be difficult for a teenage mother and her child. Teen mothers are more likely to drop out of high school than girls who delay childbearing. Only 40 percent of teenagers who have children before age 18 go on to graduate from high school, compared to 75 percent of teens from similar social and economic backgrounds who do not give birth until ages 20 or 21.

With her education cut short, a teenage mother may lack job skills, making it hard for her to find and keep a job. A teenage mother may become financially dependent on her family or on public assistance. Teen mothers are more likely to live in poverty than women who delay childbearing, and more than 75 percent of all unmarried teen mothers go on welfare within 5 years of the birth of their first child.

About 64 percent of children born to an unmarried teenage high-school dropout live in poverty, compared to 7 percent of children born to women over age 20 who are married and high school graduates.

A child born to a teenage mother is 50 percent more likely to repeat a grade in school and is more likely to perform poorly on standardized tests and drop out before finishing high school.

Besides I don’t think she’s the sharpest knife if the drawer.

I’m mostly just disappointed because first she was all “yeah abstinence education obviously doesn’t work” (I MEAN OBVIOUSLY. she’s a mom now, isn’t she?) and now she is like, “nevermind, just don’t have sex. Babies suck.”

This isn’t some liberal attack on her, this is people that think sex ed should be more than a footnote in biology. I’d be able to get on board with her if she said ‘Don’t do it… BUT here’s how you protect yourself if you do.’ Abstinence only education is ridiculous. It’s not education at all. It’s a rule, and we all know how much we loved following rules during our teens.

how is there a huge difference between a 17 year-old having sex and a 18 year-old?